Voting machine

ABSTRACT

A voting machine having an arrangement for preventing the socalled &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Single Shot&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; ballot, which includes an auxiliary interlock and an electrical control circuit responsive to the condition of the auxiliary interlock for locking the machine operating lever against vote registering movement until a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Single Shot&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; voting error is corrected by the voter.

United States Patent Ditonto et al.

[54] VOTING MACHINE [72] Inventors: Alexander N. Ditonto, Jamestown; Charles J. Lindros, Lakewood, both of NY.

[ 73] Assignee: AVM Corporation, Jamestown, NY. [22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 60,304

[52] US. Cl. ..235/54 R [51] Int. Cl ..G07c 13/00 [58] Field oiSearch ..235/54 R, 54 A, 54D, 54F

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,358,922 9/1944 Gustavson ..235/54 R 151 3,655,125 [4 1 Apr. 11, 1972 2,363,729 11/1944 Gustavson ..235/54 R 2,407,981 9/1946 Gustavson.... ..235/54 R 3,024,974 3/1962 Hocker ..235/54 F 3,069,076 12/1962 Shoup et al. .....235/54 R 3,408,002 10/1968 Martin ..235/54 D Primary ExaminerStephen J. Tomsky Attorney-Bean & Bean [57] ABSTRACT A voting machine having an arrangement for preventing the so-called Single Shot" ballot, which includes an auxiliary interlock and an electrical control circuit responsive to the condition of the auxiliary interlock for locking the machine operating lever against vote registering movement until a Single Shot voting error is corrected by the voter.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patnted A ril 11, 1972 4 sheets-sheet 2 ALEX/INDEQ N. D/TONTO CH LQLESJ L/NDQOS VOTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Laws in several states require a voter to vote for the entire number of candidates to be elected to a group office, thereby prohibiting the so-called Single Shot ballot. These laws state in substance that, that portion of a voters ballot relating to office group elections is invalid if he has failed to indicate his preference for the total number of candidates as there are specified to be voted for, in a given group. Various attempts have been made to provide voting machines with Single Shot" ballot preventing devices, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,358,922 and 2,363,729.

Prior attempts have not produced completely satisfactory results in that they have been found susceptible to fraudulent manipulation and/or are not capable of the error free operation required of voting machines. Further, devices of the type disclosed by the above-mentioned patents suffer from the additional disadvantage that they serve without notice to nullify all ballots within an improperly voted group. This procedure penalizes the voter who is not fully familiar with Single-Shot voting laws or has merely made a voting error, since he is never aware that his group ballot is to be nullified and has no opportunity to correct his voting error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an arrangement for preventing the so-called Single-Shot" ballot, while not being subject to the disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary interlock, which is responsive to voting conditions within an office group for which Single-Shot" ballots are prohibited; and an electrical control circuit, which is responsive to the condition of the auxiliary interlock for locking the machine against vote registration until the Single Shot voting error is corrected by the voter. By this arrangement, the voter is fully appraised of his voting error and is given an opportunity to correct same before leaving the voting booth.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of the present invention will now be fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional voting machine in which the present invention has utility;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the operating parts of the voting machine showing the relative placement of the elements of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the voting machine with the rear cover removed;

FIG. 4 is a view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the auxiliary interlock shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical control circuit of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a view of a voting pointer indicating the relation- SIIIP between pointer position and control circuit operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION For purposes of reference, a conventional voting machine in which the present invention has utility is designated as 10 in FIG. I and shown as generally including a casing 12 having an upstanding ballot format presenting front panel 14; a secrecy curtain 16; and a machine operating lever or handle 18.

As is conventional, columns and rows of associated vote selection pointers and candidate indicia, designated collectively as 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and designated individually as 22 and 24 respectively in FIG. 2, are arranged on front panel 14 for voter view.

Each of pointers 22 extends from the forward end of a spindle 26, which is joumaled in front panel 14 and carries adjacent its rearwardly extending end a crank arm 28. Crank arm 28 is formed with an actuator arm portion 30, which engages with an associated vote register actuator 31 of a vote selection register or counter mechanism 32 for preparing the register actuator to operate whenever the pointer is turned into the voting position indicated in FIG. 8. Arm 28 also includes a yoke-shaped hanger portion 34 from which depends an interlock strap 36 of main interlock 38.

When a voter first enters machine 10, operating lever 18 is in its home" or non-voting position, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2; security curtain 16 is open, and all of pointers 22 are locked in non-voting position by means of a return bar 40, which retains interlock straps 36 in their lowermost position, as best shown in FIG. 4. When the voter moves lever 18 to the right, security curtain 16 is closed by a suitable control linkage including cable 42 trained about lever mounted pulley 44; and the machine opened for voting by shifting side bars or arms 46, 46a upwardly via lever operated linkage 48 in order to shift return bar 40 into its upper main interlock strap releasing position. When return bar 40 is in its upper position, main interlock straps 36 are freed for upward vertical displacement resulting from pivotal movement of pointers 22 into vote selection position; the number of pointers movable to indicate candidate selections for a given office being determined by the machine custodian controlled setting of main interlock 38.

Also, as side bars 46, 46a are shifted into their uppermost position, lift plate 50 mounted on side bar 46 operates via a pin 52 to elevate a cam unit, generally designated at 54. As cam unit 54 is elevated, it is laterally displaced by means of a pin 56, such that a cam unit mounted horizontal strut 58 is reciprocated and serves to rotate bell cranks 60. This action depresses a rod 62, which carries a plurality of hangers 64 corresponding one with each vertical column of vote registering mechanisms 32 provided in the machine. Each of hangers 64 suspends therebelow a ladder-shaped operator 66, which in turn pivotally supports register actuators 31 for movement into position for cooperation with actuator arm portion 30 of a voter selected pointer 22.

Then, to register his selections and exit from the machine, the voter pulls or returns lever 18 to its original or home position. During the initial stage of lever motion, cam unit 54 is lowered such that counter mechanisms 32 are actuated in accordance with pointer selections. Return bar 40 is then returned to its lowermost position, such that the voting pointers and interlock straps are returned to their non-voted or home" positions, and finally curtain 16 is opened.

The construction of machine 10, as thus far described, forms no part of the present invention, and a more detailed description of the several components thereof may be had by referring to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,174,684 and 3,408,002, as well as my co-pending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 802,313, filed Jan. 31, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,086.

The present invention employs one or more auxiliary interlocks 70, which are removably mounted adjacent the rear of main interlock 38, whenever it is desired to prevent a Single Shot ballot for a group office.

An auxiliary interlock 70 is shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6 as including a pair of spaced vertical plates 72 and 73 that are connected by spacer blocks 74. Projecting vertically through the blocks 74 are rods 75 whose lower ends are fitted with bases 76. A spring 77, encircling that portion of the rod between the block 74 and base 76, yieldingly extends the rod to a limit determined by a pin 78. Projecting laterally from the forwardly facing surface of the plate 73 are lugs 79 having slots 81 formed in their upper edges. The slots are adapted to fit under the lower edge of main interlock rear plate 82. The rods 75 serve to removably secure interlock 70 in engagement with the main interlock 38 substantially as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

Again referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that inwardly opening grooves 84 are formed in plates 72 and 73 and that the ends of suitable rollers 86 are mounted in grooves 84 for movement lengthwise of the interlock. Suitable means, not shown, are provided to prevent movement of the rollers 86 in a direction other than toward the left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 6.

As is common in interlocks, main interlock straps 36 include lugs, not shown, to which auxiliary interlock straps 90 may be attached. Auxiliary interlock straps 30 are each formed with a laterally directed lug or shoulder 92 and enlarged lower end portions 94, which project between pairs of rollers 86.

As thus far described, interlock 70 is similar in construction to those described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,358,922 and 2,363,729.

In the present construction, auxiliary interlock 70 is provided with a swing bar 100, which is supported by engagement with auxiliary interlock strap lugs 92 and suspended from plate mounted brackets 102, 103 by swing links 104, 105 for vertical swinging movement. The full and phantom line positions of swing bar 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 correspond respectively to the non-voted and voted positions of straps 90 and thus straps 36.

Also, in accordance with the present auxiliary interlock construction, first and second microswitches 110 and III are fixed to brackets I02 and I03, respectively; and are connected in series circuit through a conventional male connector 112, as best shown in FIG. 7. First microswitch III) includes a spring biased operator finger 114, which is engageable by swing bar carried lug 116, whereas microswitch 111 includes a spring biased operator finger 117, which is engageable with the end roller of the column of rollers 86 shown in FIG. 6. It will be understood that first microswitch 110 is normally open, but adapted to be closed by movement of swing bar I into its phantom line position illustrated in FIG. 6, such movement being occasioned by vertical movement of any of straps 90 upon operation of a voting pointer within the ofiice group with which auxiliary interlock 70 is associated. Microswitch III is normally closed, but adapted to be opened by the spreading or movement of rollers 86 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 6. Microswitch 111 is open only when the maximum or required number of candidates have been selected in the office group and closes immediately when one or more selections are cancelled by the return of pointers 22 to non-voted condition. Of course, various sizes of auxiliary interlocks would be made available to accommodate various office group sizes. Also, as is conventional with interlock constructions, the capacity of any given auxiliary interlock may be reduced by adding suitable compensators or roller spacers adjacent the right hand end of the column of rollers, as viewed in FIG. 6.

Reference now being made to FIGS. 3 and 7, it will be understood that one or more auxiliary interlocks may be appropriately positioned lengthwise of main interlock 38, as determined by the number of office groups for which Single Shot" ballots are prohibited. To accommodate for multiple auxiliary interlock positions, the control circuit of the present invention, which is generally designated as 120 in FIG. '7 and includes microswitches 110 and III, is provided with a plurality of female connections I22, which are arranged in parallel and adapted to receive connectors II2.

Control circuit I20 additionally includes a third microswitch 124, a fourth microswitch 126, a solenoid 128, an error indicating Red" light 130 and a power-on indicating White light I32. Circuit I20 may be connected to a suitable power source, such as a conventional l 10/120 volt, 60 cycle, power source, by three prong connector I34. As will be apparent from viewing FIG. 7, microswitches I10 and III, together with microswitches 124 and 126, are connected in series with solenoid I28 and error light 130, such that the solenoid is energized and the error light illuminated only when all of the microswitches are closed. Error light 130 and power-on light 132 are conveniently located exteriorly of casing 12 for view by an election official, as indicated in FIG. I. To insure trouble free operation of circuit I20, it is preferable to provide identical pairs of microswitches III), III, 124 and 126 arranged in parallel.

Referring to FIG. 2 it will be apparent that third microswitch I24 includes a spring biased operator finger I35 arranged for engagement with lever 18, and fourth microswitch 126 includes a spring biased operator I36 arranged for engagement with link I38, which forms a part of side arm operating linkage 48. Third microswitch I24 is normally in closed condition, but adapted to be opened only when lever 18 is fully seated in voting position. Fourth microswitch I26 is normally in open condition, but adapted to be closed as lever I8 is moved towards its voting position. More specifically fourth microswitch I26 is arranged such that it opens after third microswitch 124 closes and at a point during side arm downward movement intermediate entering of a vote in counter mechanisms 32 and the initiation of return of pointers 22 to their non-voting position.

As will be more fully described, solenoid 128 is employed to lock the operating lever against return to its home or nonvoting position, whenever a voter either by design or through error attempts to vote for fewer candidates for a group office than the number required by state law; locking of the operating lever and resultant failure of the security curtain to open serving to inform the voter that he has voted in an improper manner.

The operating lever can subsequently be unlocked only by the voter selecting enough additional candidates to meet the required number of group selections, or by returning all of the previously voted pointers for such group to non-voted position. The illumination of error light I36 informs an election official that a Single Shotvoting error has been committed; the ofiicial in such event giving verbal advice to the voter with regard to the operating lever unlocking procedures set forth above. Alternatively, visual indicia may be displayed to the voter with regard to such unlocking procedures.

Particular reference being made to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, it will be understood that above mentioned locking of lever 18 is effected by an arrangement including a casing mounted fixtures MI), which includes an L-shaped guide-mounting bracket 142, a solenoid mounting bracket I43 and a locking plate mounting bracket I44. A lock-out bar I46 is slideably supported for vertical reciprocating movement by engagement of brackets 142, I44 with its L-shaped lower end portion 148. As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 3 and 5, end portion 148 is provided with a vertically extending slot 150 adapted to slideably receive guide mounting bracket, headed guide pin 152, and vertically extending saw-toothed edge portion 154 adapted to be lockingly engaged by locking plate 156. Lock-out bar 146 is connected for vertical reciprocation with side arm 46a by any suitable arrangement, such as by side arm mounted S- shaped arm I58 and vertically reciprocal cam bar 160, which is conventionally provided in voting machines having a writein capability.

Locking plate I56, which is provided with a saw-toothed end edge portion 162 engageable with toothed edge portion I54, is slideably supported for reciprocating movement on bracket I447 by headed pins I64 slideably received within plate slot openings I66. Interconnecting locking plate I56 with solenoid 128 is a crank 168, which is pivotally supported on bracket 144 by pin I70 and normally biased for movement in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, by a bracket mounted return spring 172. One leg of crank I68 is coupled to locking plate 156 by drive spring 1174 and by plate mounted pin I76 received within crank leg side opening slot I78. Spring I74 is normally under slight tension, such that the position of locking plate 156 is determined by engagement of pin 176 with crank I68. The other leg of crank 168 is suitably connected to solenoid plunger I86, as by pin 182, such that reciprocation of plunger 180 will effect pivotable movement of the crank.

The full and phantom line positions of lock-out bar I46 shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the home or non-voting and voting positions if lever I8, respectively. Thus, it will be appreciated that, when lock-out bar I46 is in its phantom line position and solenoid I28 is energized, crank I68 is rotated in a clockwise direction by retraction of plunger 180 against the return bias of spring 172; crank rotation permitting spring 174 to drive lock plate toothed edge 162 into locking engagement with lock-out bar toothed edge 1. As a result, movement of lock-out bar 146 into its lower position and thus operation of counter mechanism 32 or movement of side arm 16a and lever 18 into their home or non-voting positions, is prevented until solenoid 128 is deenergized. When solenoid 128 is deenergized, return spring 172 serves to return the several cooperating parts shown in FIG. 5 to their normal full line positions, thereby freeing lever 18 for operation of counter mechanism 32 and the return of pointers 22 to non-voted condition.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent form of the present invention only first and second microswitches 1111, 111 need be employed in series with solenoid 128 in order to prevent a Single Shot ballot. For this arrangement, an energizing circuit would be completed by microswitches 110 through solenoid 128 upon the first ballot being cast within a group office; the solenoid being deenergized only when the required number of ballots have been cast, which serves to open second microswitch 111, or when the voter cancels his selections by returning pointers 22 to non-voted position, which serves to open first microswitch 110. Thus, microswitch 111 may be considered as over-controlling microswitch 110 for purposes of controlling actuation of solenoid 128 resulting in the locking or preventing operation of lever 18.

While the above arrangement is operable, it is preferable to additionally employ at least third microswitch 124, in order to permit solenoid 128 to be operated only upon initiation of movement of lever 18 to its home" position, if first microswitch 110 has been closed and second microswitch 111 has not been previously opened. The provision of the third microswitch greatly reduces wear and tear on solenoid and toothed edge portions 154 and 162, since the solenoid is only operated when the voter attempts to leave the voting booth after having improperly cast one or more ballots for group office. The permissive operation of solenoid 128 only at this time, also lends secrecy to the ballot, since otherwise the sounds made by the solenoid and locking plate 156 would advise a passerby or election official each time a voter would make a selection of candidates for a group office.

In the preferred form of the invention, fourth microswitch 126 is employed to positively insure that the circuit through solenoid 128 is opened after the registering of votes in counter mechanisms 32, but ficiently to cause auxiliary interlock strap lower end portions 94 to disengage rollers 86 and thus result in immediate closing of second microswitch 111. By viewing FIG. 4, it will be apparent that normal manufacturing tolerance considerations result in the closing of microswitch 111 before downward movement of straps 90 is sufficient to lower swing bar 101) to a position wherein microswitch 110 will be permitted to open. The correlation between the angular movement of voted pointer and operation of microswitches 110, 111 is illustrated in FIG. 6. With reference to FIG. 8, it will be understood that microswitch 1241 is closed before movement of pointer 22 from its voted position and that microswitch 126 is opened subsequent to the closing of microswitch 124 but before movement of the pointer to a position corresponding to the closing of microswitch 111.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific, mechanically operated voting machine, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. Thus, the present invention may be employed with machines having electrical push-buttons or the like for the voter to make his selections and open and/or close the machine for voting; and electrically operated main interlocks and/or vote registers. Moreover, the auxiliary interlock may be dispensed with and the first and second microswitches mounted directly in association with the main interlock, if desired.

that in the simplest before return bar 40 has been moved sufvoter operated means to cause said selections to be entered in said register means and to return said selection means to non-voting condition;

locking means for preventing operation of said entering and return means; and

control means for said locking means, said control means including first and second means, said first means being responsive to voter operation of one of said selection means within a group of a number greater than one, said first means when responsive tending to actuate said locking means, said second means being responsive to voter operation of selection means within said group corresponding to said number, said second means when responsive tending to prevent actuation of said locking means, and said second means over controlling said first means.

2. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means include first and second electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means, said first switch means being closed to complete said circuit when said first means is responsive, and said second switch means being open to interrupt said circuit when said second means is responsive.

3. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes third means responsive to initiation of voter operation of said entering and returning means, said third means when responsive permitting actuation of said locking means by said first means when said second means is non-responsive, thereby preventing completion of operation of said entering and returning means until said first means is non-responsive or said second means is responsive.

4. A voting machine according to claim 3, wherein said first, second and third means include first, second and third electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means, said first and third switch means being closed when said first and third means are responsive, and said second switch means being open when said second means is responsive.

5. A voting machine according to claim 3, wherein said first and second means are rendered non-responsive by operation of said entering and returning means, said first means being rendered non-responsive subsequent to said second means, and said control means includes fourth means, responsive to operation of said entering and-returning means for preventing actuation of said locking means, said fourth means being responsive after said third means is responsive and before said second means is rendered non-responsive.

6. A voting machine according to claim 5, wherein said first, second, third and fourth means include first, second, third and fourth electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means, said first and third switch means being closed when said first and third means are responsive, and said second and fourth switch means being open when said second and fourth means are responsive.

7. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said selection means includes interlock means for limiting voter operation of selection means with said group to said number, said first and second means being responsive to the condition of said interlock means.

8. A voting machine according to claim 7, wherein said selection means are operable by a voter to indicate voting selections in a plurality of said groups, said interlock means having different portions thereof limiting voter operation of said selection means within each of said groups, said first and second means are mounted on auxiliary interlock means removably associated with and responsive to the condition of at least one of said portions, said first and second means being responsive to the condition of said auxiliary interlock means.

9. A voting machine according to claim 8, wherein said first and second means include first and second electrical switch means arranged in series circuit, said first switch means being closed when said first means is responsive and said second switch means being open when said second means is responsive, said control means additionally includes a plurality of electrical connectors associated one with each of said portions, said associated connectors being arranged in parallel circuit with each other and in series circuit with said locking means, said control means additionally includes other connectors associated one with each of said auxiliary interlocks and adapted to be removably connected selectively with one of said portion associated connectors to place said first and second switch means in series circuit with said locking means.

10. A voting machine according to claim 9, wherein said control means includes third means responsive to initiation of voter operation of said entering and returning means, said third means when responsive permitting actuation of said locking means by said first means when said second means is non-responsive, thereby preventing completion of operation of said entering and returning means until said first means is non-responsive or said second means is responsive, said third means includes electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means and said portion associated connectors, said third switch means being closed when said third means is responsive.

11. A voting machine according to claim 10, wherein said entering and returning means includes lever means movable between non-voting and voting positions and connecting means operable by said lever means during movement thereof from said voting to non-voting positions to enter said selections and return said selection means in succession, said third means being responsive to initiation of movement of said lever means from said voting position prior to operation of said connecting means, said first and second means are rendered nonresponsive by operation of said connecting means, said first means being rendered non-responsive subsequent to said second means, said control means includes fourth means responsive to operating of said connecting means for preventing actuation of said locking means, said fourth means being responsive after said third means is responsive and before said second means is rendered non-responsive, said fourth means includes a fourth electrical switch means arranged in a series circuit with said locking means, said third switch means and said portion associated connectors, and said fourth switch means being open when said fourth means is responsive. 

1. A voting machine comprising in combination: selection means operated by a voter to indicate voting selections; means to register said selections; voter operated means to cause said selections to be entered in said register means and to return said selection means to nonvoting condition; locking means for preventing operation of said entering and return means; and control means for said locking means, said control means including first and second means, said first means being responsive to voter operation of one of said selection means within a group of a number greater than one, said first means when responsive tending to actuate said locking means, said second means being responsive to voter operation of selection means within said group corresponding to said number, said second means when responsive tending to prevent actuation of said locking means, and said second means over controlling said first means.
 2. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said first and second means include first and second electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means, said first switch means being closed to complete said circuit when said first means is responsive, and said second switch means being open to interrupt said circuit when said second means is responsive.
 3. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes third means responsive to initiation of voter operation of said entering and returning means, said third means when responsive permitting actuation of said locking means by said first means when said second means is non-responsive, thereby preventing completion of operation of said entering and returning means until said first means is non-responsive or said second means is responsive.
 4. A voting machine according to claim 3, wherein said first, second and third meanS include first, second and third electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means, said first and third switch means being closed when said first and third means are responsive, and said second switch means being open when said second means is responsive.
 5. A voting machine according to claim 3, wherein said first and second means are rendered non-responsive by operation of said entering and returning means, said first means being rendered non-responsive subsequent to said second means, and said control means includes fourth means, responsive to operation of said entering and returning means for preventing actuation of said locking means, said fourth means being responsive after said third means is responsive and before said second means is rendered non-responsive.
 6. A voting machine according to claim 5, wherein said first, second, third and fourth means include first, second, third and fourth electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means, said first and third switch means being closed when said first and third means are responsive, and said second and fourth switch means being open when said second and fourth means are responsive.
 7. A voting machine according to claim 1, wherein said selection means includes interlock means for limiting voter operation of selection means with said group to said number, said first and second means being responsive to the condition of said interlock means.
 8. A voting machine according to claim 7, wherein said selection means are operable by a voter to indicate voting selections in a plurality of said groups, said interlock means having different portions thereof limiting voter operation of said selection means within each of said groups, said first and second means are mounted on auxiliary interlock means removably associated with and responsive to the condition of at least one of said portions, said first and second means being responsive to the condition of said auxiliary interlock means.
 9. A voting machine according to claim 8, wherein said first and second means include first and second electrical switch means arranged in series circuit, said first switch means being closed when said first means is responsive and said second switch means being open when said second means is responsive, said control means additionally includes a plurality of electrical connectors associated one with each of said portions, said associated connectors being arranged in parallel circuit with each other and in series circuit with said locking means, said control means additionally includes other connectors associated one with each of said auxiliary interlocks and adapted to be removably connected selectively with one of said portion associated connectors to place said first and second switch means in series circuit with said locking means.
 10. A voting machine according to claim 9, wherein said control means includes third means responsive to initiation of voter operation of said entering and returning means, said third means when responsive permitting actuation of said locking means by said first means when said second means is non-responsive, thereby preventing completion of operation of said entering and returning means until said first means is non-responsive or said second means is responsive, said third means includes electrical switch means arranged in series circuit with said locking means and said portion associated connectors, said third switch means being closed when said third means is responsive.
 11. A voting machine according to claim 10, wherein said entering and returning means includes lever means movable between non-voting and voting positions and connecting means operable by said lever means during movement thereof from said voting to non-voting positions to enter said selections and return said selection means in succession, said third means being responsive to initiation of movement of said lever means from said voting position priOr to operation of said connecting means, said first and second means are rendered non-responsive by operation of said connecting means, said first means being rendered non-responsive subsequent to said second means, said control means includes fourth means responsive to operating of said connecting means for preventing actuation of said locking means, said fourth means being responsive after said third means is responsive and before said second means is rendered non-responsive, said fourth means includes a fourth electrical switch means arranged in a series circuit with said locking means, said third switch means and said portion associated connectors, and said fourth switch means being open when said fourth means is responsive. 